The Blessed Virgin Mary, while she was on earth, had a special devotion to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was present and active at each significant moment of her earthly life. At her Immaculate Conception, the Holy Spirit infused into her soul the plenitude of gifts, graces, and love that any created being can possibly be granted.

The first time that the Holy Spirit is mentioned in the Gospels in connection with Mary is when the Archangel Gabriel proclaims to her saying: “The Holy Spirit will come upon you and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.” (Lk. 1:35). When she gave her consent, the Holy Spirit formed the body of Jesus in her womb. Thus, by virtue of her fiat, she received the Holy Spirit in her soul, she received the protection of the Most High, and she conceived the Eternal Word in her womb by the power of the Holy Spirit. The most holy Mary became the new Ark of the Covenant, and the first person to receive the Three Persons of the Blessed Trinity in her heart and soul. In addition, the womb of Mary became the most sacred and sacrosanct tabernacle in which Jesus Christ was present body, soul, and divinity.

The Son of God having become incarnate in her womb, Mary “was found to be with child through the Holy Spirit.” (Mt. 1:18). The angel of the Lord revealed to Joseph that “it is through the Holy Spirit that this child has been conceived in her.” (Mt. 1:20).

Furthermore, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she went to visit Zechariah and Elizabeth. When she greeted Elizabeth, and Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the infant leaped in Elizabeth’s womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. (Lk. 1:40-45).

It was the Holy Spirit who revealed to Elizabeth that Mary is the Mother of the Lord Jesus. It was also the Holy Spirit who inspired Elizabeth to proclaim that Mary is most blessed among women, that the fruit of Mary’s womb, Jesus, is blessed, and that Mary is blessed because she believed that what the Lord spoke to her would be fulfilled. It was also on the occasion of Mary’s visit to Zechariah and Elizabeth, that the words of Gabriel were fulfilled, namely that John the Baptist “will be filled with the Holy Spirit even from his mother’s womb.” (Lk. 1:15).

When Mary and Joseph brought the Child Jesus to the temple, Simeon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, came into the temple, and recognized the Child as the Messiah. (Lk. 2:26-34).

Scripture emphatically states that the Apostles devoted themselves with one accord to prayer, together with some women, including Mary the Mother of Jesus. (Acts 1:14). Thus, Mary was in the midst of the Apostles when the Holy Spirit came upon them as tongues of fire and were filled with the Holy Spirit.

Mary shares many attributes with the Holy Spirit. For example, the attributes of Comforter and Advocate are ascribed to the Holy Spirit; these same attributes are also ascribed to Mary. She is also our Advocate before God the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit and the Comforter of the afflicted. We ask her to plead our causes for us before God and to comfort us.

Let us pray. O Holy Spirit the Comforter, I give you thanks through the merit of Jesus Christ who, by your cooperation, was made Man in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, that you have charitably granted me, unworthy though I am, the gratuitous benediction of your sweetness, kindness, and goodness. Your infinite charity alone, in which resides, from which proceeds, and through which we receive every good, has bestowed on me so many blessings of yours. Amen.